Today we’d like to introduce you to Halicia Loren.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been incredibly fortunate to have parents who encouraged creativity. They never tried to steer me toward what they thought was the “safe” path, they simply supported whatever I was passionate about. Looking back, that freedom shaped the way I approach my career today.
Growing up, I wanted to do everything. I danced, acted, sang, played softball, ran track, played volleyball and basketball, I was always exploring different interests. That curiosity followed me into college at San Diego State, where I discovered journalism and radio broadcasting. I even shadowed a news anchor because I thought I wanted to become a meteorologist or TV news reporter. But I quickly realized that traditional news at the time didn’t leave much room for personality or perspective, and I knew I wanted a career where I could connect with people in a more authentic way.
After graduating, I moved to Los Angeles and became a full-time radio personality for Radio Disney. That experience opened the door to television hosting, red carpet interviews, acting, and live entertainment. As much as I loved being in front of the camera, I found myself becoming just as fascinated with everything happening behind it, marketing, production, storytelling, and social media.
When I eventually moved back to San Diego, I leaned into that curiosity. I worked in social media and digital marketing while continuing to host television for shows like *Lifestyle San Diego* and *The American Dream*, highlighting local businesses, real estate, and the people who make San Diego such a special place. I also worked as an entertainment coordinator for the San Diego Padres, helping create memorable fan experiences on game days.
One thing I’ve noticed about my career is that every chapter has started the same way: I discover something I genuinely love, and then I ask myself, “How can I make this part of my life instead of just a hobby?”
That mindset led me to become an event host, MC, and DJ for weddings and private events. It led me into sports and entertainment. It eventually led me into social media strategy and content creation. And most recently, it led me into fitness.
Today, I teach group fitness because I genuinely love it. Whether I’m leading Pilates, strength training, boxing, or building fitness communities through social media, it never feels like “just work.” At the same time, I continue working as a content creator and social media strategist, helping brands tell their stories while sharing my own.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my journey, it’s that you don’t have to fit yourself into one box. Society often tells us we need to pick one career, one passion, or one identity, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. Every new interest I’ve pursued has built on the one before it and opened doors I never expected.
I’ve had what I like to call different “eras” of my life: radio, television, sports, events, social media, and now wellness. And each one has taught me something valuable that I carry into the next.
Because of that, I don’t spend much time worrying about work-life balance. I genuinely enjoy the work I do because I’ve intentionally built a career around the things I love. And while I’ve already had the opportunity to experience so many different industries, I still feel like I’m just getting started. The best part of the journey is knowing there’s always another chapter waiting to be written.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I also wouldn’t say the difficult seasons were bad. They’ve honestly become some of my favorite chapters.
There have been moments when everything seemed to fall perfectly into place, where one opportunity naturally led to the next. And then there have been moments that felt like complete rock bottom. I’ve moved to a new city without a job, without a place to live, and even spent a night sleeping in my car while it was raining.
Looking back, what stands out most isn’t the situation itself, it’s my reaction to it.
I remember lying there thinking, “This is going to make such a great story one day.” I wasn’t scared or defeated. If anything, I had this quiet confidence that I wasn’t going to stay there for long. I didn’t know if it would be 24 hours, a week, or a month, but I knew it was temporary. It almost felt like I was watching my own life unfold from the audience, knowing the main character was eventually going to figure it out.
That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career. Whenever something doesn’t work out, I don’t see it as failure, I see it as part of the plot. Every setback has introduced me to opportunities, people, or experiences I never would have found otherwise.
I genuinely believe life isn’t about avoiding obstacles. Challenges are inevitable. What defines us is how we choose to respond when they arrive.
When I look back now, I’m grateful for every difficult season because each one taught me resilience, adaptability, and confidence. They reminded me that no circumstance is permanent, and that sometimes the hardest chapters become the ones you’re most thankful for later.
I think that’s one of the biggest lessons my career has taught me: trust yourself enough to believe that whatever challenge you’re facing today isn’t the end of your story—it’s simply one chapter that’s preparing you for the next.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Today, my work sits at the intersection of wellness, community, media, and storytelling. On any given day, I might be teaching a group fitness class, developing new programming, creating content for brands, managing social media strategy, or speaking in front of a room full of people. While those roles may seem very different on paper, they all share the same purpose: helping people feel inspired, connected, and confident.
I specialize in building communities through authentic experiences. Whether I’m leading a fitness class, launching a new wellness program, creating content for a brand, or working behind the scenes on a marketing campaign, my goal is always to make people feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
What I’m probably best known for is bringing energy into a room and making people feel welcome. I love creating environments where people feel comfortable trying something new, challenging themselves, and leaving a little more confident than when they walked in.
What I’m most proud of isn’t one specific job title or accomplishment—it’s that I’ve built a career around the things I genuinely love. I never wanted work to feel separate from life. Instead, I’ve intentionally created a career that blends fitness, creativity, media, and community into something that feels authentic to who I am.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m not afraid to evolve. I’ve never believed you have to choose one lane forever. Every chapter of my career has given me new skills that have made me better in the next one. The media experience helps me communicate. The marketing experience helps me tell stories. The fitness industry allows me to connect with people in a meaningful way. Together, those experiences have shaped a career that feels uniquely my own.
At the end of the day, I hope people remember me less for the titles I’ve held and more for how they felt after interacting with me. If someone leaves one of my classes, watches one of my videos, or works with me on a project feeling more motivated, more confident, or simply having had a better day, then I feel like I’ve done my job.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
People are often surprised when I say this, but I’ve never really had one defining mentor.
For a long time, I thought I was supposed to find one because you always hear that the most successful entrepreneurs and leaders have mentors. I even looked for one. But as my career evolved, I realized my path has been so unconventional that it’s been difficult to find one person who truly understands every part of it. My work has spanned media, entertainment, marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and now wellness. Each chapter has required something different.
Instead of having one mentor, I’ve found myself learning from everyone.
I’ve learned from incredible leaders who showed me what it feels like to be supported, trusted, and empowered. I’ve also learned from difficult bosses who unintentionally taught me exactly the kind of leader I never want to become. Both experiences have been equally valuable.
I’ve learned from colleagues who each bring something unique to the table. Some have taught me patience, others confidence, creativity, organization, or direct communication. I don’t think any of us become who we are in isolation. We collect little pieces of the people around us, and over time those lessons shape the way we lead, work, and show up for others.
Of course, my parents deserve tremendous credit for encouraging me to explore my interests from a young age without trying to fit me into a predetermined path. That support gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities that didn’t always make sense on paper but felt right for me.
Today, I find just as much fulfillment in mentoring others as I do in learning from them. One of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping instructors, creators, and teammates build confidence in themselves. If I can make someone’s path a little easier because of something I’ve learned along mine, then that’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
Looking back, I don’t think my success can be credited to one mentor. It’s the result of countless people who each taught me something different. Every interaction, good or bad, has helped shape the person and leader I am today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halliegal
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halicia-loren-ashford-82355676/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BalanceBelle/videos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hanginwithallie?
